Today, that cool factor has just ramped up a couple of notches. Husqvarna has thrown the wraps off two stunning new ‘401’ concepts at the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan.

Created by the industrial design company Kiska, they’re designed to gauge public reaction before possible production.

There are two machines: the Vit Pilen (“White Arrow” in Swedish) and the Svart Pilen (Black Arrow). They take their inspiration from the famed Silver Pilen of 1955—a machine that was lighter, smaller and faster than its competitors.

The 401 concepts are anything but antiquated, though. They’re sporting upside-down WP forks, lightweight trellis frames, and 17-inch wheels with modern rubber. Power comes from a state-of-the-art 400cc water-cooled single. Output is 43hp and the bikes weigh a mere 135 kg (297 pounds).

Kiska’s senior designer Björn Shuster explains the thinking: “The 401s are not recollections of the past. They’re about purity, simplicity of form, and economy of line. Those are the fundamentals of the Husqvarna design language. It doesn’t matter if it was 60 years ago or now, the same mentality remains.”

“A lot of modern machinery has become so hyper-focused, it’s difficult for the customer to inject his or her own style into the bike. So we wanted to create a platform that offers more freedom,” says Björn.

“Maybe you want to run tall bars and a high pipe for some fire-road fun. Or install clip-ons, for more weight over the front end at your next track day. Or perhaps you just prefer one stance to another. It’s up to you.”

401 Svart Pilen (above) The Svart pays homage to the rich off-road heritage of Husqvarna. It’s still very much a road bike, but the ancillary components will make your life easier when the pavement ends.

The muffler is mounted high, out of the way of rocks and debris. The headlamp has an integrated cage that fully encloses the bowl: it’s the old headlamp grill reinterpreted in a modern way.

The solo seat has a grippy texture and makes room for a small utility rack at the back.

The riding position is upright, with wide bars and grippy pegs. A skidplate protects the crankcase and the tires are aggressive but street-legal knobbies.

401 Vit Pilen (above) “This model is meant to show how simple and pure a roadbike can be,” says Björn. The rearsets give maximum clearance in the corners, and clip-ons are mounted to stout triple clamps. A neat detail: the clamp bolts are installed from the front, allowing the surfaces to be as clean as possible. Even the headlight holder is integrated into the clamps, which also support the digital display.

From the engine cradles to the fenders, each part has been constructed with the Husqvarna ideals of simplicity, honesty, and cleaniness. The muffler is not your typical trapezoidal ray gun sticking out of the back: it’s just a clean oval section, and all the better for it.

“The Vit Pilen is what a stripped down street bike should look like,” says Björn. “Reduced to the minimum and lightweight. The stance and proportions let you know what it’s waiting to do.”

If the reaction to the 401 concepts is good, we’re told that Husqvarna will put them into production.

]]>http://www.bikeexif.com/motorcycle-concept/feed0Top 5 Concept Motorcycleshttp://www.bikeexif.com/top-5-concept-motorcycles
http://www.bikeexif.com/top-5-concept-motorcycles#commentsMon, 26 May 2014 17:30:26 +0000http://www.bikeexif.com/?p=17578Read more »]]>
Car manufacturers occasionally dip a toe into the world of two wheels. It’s usually in the form of an expensive bicycle designed to be strapped to the back of a giant SUV, and bought by middle-aged businessmen.

But that hasn’t stopped petrolhead designers from daydreaming about radical motorcycles bearing lustworthy badges. So for this week’s Top 5, we’re taking a sideways look at five concept motorcycles that wear the logo of a high-end carmaker.

First up is Porsche, with a very strange concept indeed.

Porsche Design Alternative Motorrad Konzept Porsche is well known for helping Harley-Davidson on the engineering front, notably with the VR1000 racer and the Revolution engine that debuted in the V-Rod. Less well known is this 1978 concept motorcycle based on a Yamaha SR500. As with most carmaker-derived concepts, it’s high on style and low on practicality—those enclosed wheels would never work, for starters. The Vintagent has the full story, along with the best description of the rider’s attire: “a Ghillie Suit appropriate for a Mardi-gras hunting party.”

Amir Glinik’s ‘Ferrari motorycle’ If Ferrari made a motorcycle, what would it look like? Designer Amir Glinik decided to find out, and released an amazing set of 3D computer renderings. Five years ago the images took the interwebs by storm, proving that Maranello and motorcycles are an intoxicating (if unauthorized) mix. These days, Glinik still operates in the virtual world—but sticks to beautifully detailed computer models of vintage Harley-Davidsons.

Lamborghini Design Straddling the borderline between concept and reality is this French project from the mid-1980s. In those days, the Mimran brothers owned Lamborghini, and Patrick Mimran commissioned Boxer Design and frame specialist Claude Fior to create a bona-fide Lamborghini motorcycle. It had an aluminum frame and a Kawasaki engine, and depending on whom you ask, between five and forty were built.

Lotus C-01 The name and logo are familiar, but the background to the Lotus motorcycle is murky. Today, Lotus is owned by the Malaysian car company Proton, which has licensed the naming rights to a German auto racing team, Kodewa. Interest in the Daniel Simon-designed power cruiser has been extraordinary, and we’re told that there are road-going prototypes running with a 200bhp version of the KTM RC8 engine.

The price is projected to be around $137,000—no doubt due to the plentiful use of titanium and carbon fiber—but the Lotus website is vague on a release date, simply saying, “We have received thousands of sales enquiries. We will respond to each enquiry as soon as we can, but in the meantime, thank you for your patience and continued support.”

Let’s hope this is one concept motorcycle that makes it into reality. [Lotus Motorcycles]

Lauge Jensen ‘Viking’ The Danish company Lauge Jensen makes improbably expensive motorcycles that will never, ever grace the pages of Bike EXIF. This concept is a step in the right direction though, and comes from car designer Henrik Fisker—best known for the Aston Martin DB9 and the ill-fated Fisker Karma electric sports sedan. It’s a sterling example of classic cruiser design, and powered by a Harley-derived S&S V-twin pushing out 100bhp. The Viking will top 130 mph but also meets the impending Euro IV emissions regulations. The price will be around $50,000—and I’m betting there will be no shortage of buyers.

Expect to see this particular concept motorcycle go into small-scale production soon.

]]>http://www.bikeexif.com/top-5-concept-motorcycles/feed0Caterham Brutus 750http://www.bikeexif.com/caterham-motorcycle
http://www.bikeexif.com/caterham-motorcycle#commentsWed, 06 Nov 2013 17:30:34 +0000http://www.bikeexif.com/?p=16336Read more »]]>
One of the surprise announcements at EICMA, the world’s biggest motorcycle show, was the launch of Caterham Bikes. It’s a new two-wheeled division from the group that owns the sportscar company and F1 team.

The Brutus 750 is a pitched as a multi-purpose bike that works both on- and off-road, and we’re told it will also come with a kit to convert it to a snowmobile. It’s a kind of 21st century Rokon, albeit without the two-wheel drive. The raw, angular styling looks even better in the metal than in these images.

The official spec sheet doesn’t reveal much: the engine is a 750cc liquid-cooled DOHC unit, and it’s hooked up to a CVT transmission. There’s no word on where that powertrain comes from, but I’m guessing that it’s a Southeast Asian quad bike unit with the usual carburetor replaced by fuel injection. Weight is listed as 235 kg, the forks are 43mm USDs, and the wheels are 14” front and back.

If the bike looks familiar, it’s because it’s a rebranded design from Alessandro Tartarini, the son of the founder of Italjet and now Caterham’s chief designer. But the signs do point towards serious intent on Caterham’s part. The company is planning to run a Moto2 race team in 2014, and has strong engineering and technology subsidiaries within the group.

So maybe this is one concept that will be put into production. And judging by the crowds milling around the machine at Caterham’s booth, the market is ready for it.

What about you?

]]>http://www.bikeexif.com/caterham-motorcycle/feed0T120 Bonneville by Analoghttp://www.bikeexif.com/t120-bonneville
http://www.bikeexif.com/t120-bonneville#commentsWed, 08 May 2013 17:30:21 +0000http://www.bikeexif.com/?p=15491Read more »]]>
It’s always interesting to see the bikes that well-known builders create for themselves. This Triumph T120 Bonneville is the personal ride of Tony Prust; it’s a more ‘traditional’ look than many Analog motorcycles, with a side order of steampunk too.

“El Matador” was a labor of love for Prust for two years. It’s an elegant bike, finished in clear-coated raw metal with brass highlights. The frame came from a 1968 Triumph, and is now fitted with a bolt-on hardtail from Dave Byrd. The 650 motor is a 1972 spec, and was rebuilt by Ed Zender of the Triumph specialists Morrie’s Place. It’s now powdercoated in wrinkle black.

Maund velocity stacks feed the engine, and the pipes are from Lowbrow Customs. The belt drive primary comes from Bob Newby Racing; the open cover was designed by Prust and Zander.

Up front, Prust has fitted the forks from a late 60s BSA. They’re hooked up to a twin leading shoe hub laced to 19″ rim, while the conical hub at the back is laced to a 16” Harley-Davidson rim. The tires are grippy dual-sport Kenda K761s, contrasting with the traditional nature of the rest of the build.

Prust gave the T120 a full rewire, and installed a Joe Hunt Magneto. (A neat touch is the vintage-style cloth wrapping on the wiring.) Hand-made parts include the front and rear lights and the solid brass rear fender, which was fabricated by 7 Metal West. The oil plumbing is solid brass too, along with the tank badges and handgrips. The immaculate clear coat (with gold leaf and pinstriping) was applied by Brando Custom Paint.

It’s a little bit gothic and a little bit steampunk, and a showcase for Prust’s old-school fabrication skills. One of the classiest T120s we’ve seen for a long time.

]]>http://www.bikeexif.com/t120-bonneville/feed0Custom Indian Motorcycle ‘Spirit of Munro’http://www.bikeexif.com/custom-indian-motorcycle
http://www.bikeexif.com/custom-indian-motorcycle#commentsMon, 11 Mar 2013 17:30:34 +0000http://www.bikeexif.com/?p=15165Read more »]]>
Indian is back. America’s oldest motorcycle company, founded in 1901, has revealed a show-stopping streamliner to showcase a brand new engine—the 1811cc Thunder Stroke 111. The motor will find its way into the 2014 Indian road bikes, the first to be released under the stewardship of parent company Polaris Industries.

The ‘Spirit of Munro’ is a custom-built, all-metal homage to the racers and mechanics who created Indian’s performance heritage. Best of all, it shows that someone in Spirit Lake, Iowa, understands what makes the Indian brand tick. (I’d say it’s the most promising news for the 112-year-old marque since Burt Munro swung a leg over his 1920 Indian Scout and set a world record at Bonneville in 1967.)

The ‘Spirit of Munro’ is a runner, not a display bike. It was built with the help of Jeb Scolman of Jeb’s Metal and Speed in Long Beach, California. The hand-formed aluminum bodywork was fabricated using a mix of aircraft-inspired techniques and traditional custom motorcycle metalworking. Underneath is a bespoke chassis designed to handle high-speed runs. The gearing is tall and chain-driven, and the pre-production Thunder Stroke 111 engine is hooked up to custom intake and exhaust systems designed to extract maximum power.

Of course, any motorcycle manufacturer can build a custom to promote its showroom bikes. But the ‘Spirit of Munro’ is an unexpected show of creativity and style. It’s a clever mix of heritage and modern technology that will hopefully be encapsulated in the production bikes. And the Thunder Stroke 111 engine doesn’t look too bad either.

]]>http://www.bikeexif.com/custom-indian-motorcycle/feed0Triumph Bonneville Speed Twinhttp://www.bikeexif.com/triumph-bonneville-xenophya
http://www.bikeexif.com/triumph-bonneville-xenophya#commentsFri, 03 Feb 2012 17:30:15 +0000http://www.bikeexif.com/?p=13407Read more »]]>EXCLUSIVE Here’s the most exciting new motorcycle concept we’ve seen in a while—and it doesn’t come from an in-house design studio. It’s the work of two young English designers, Roy Norton and Tom Kasher, in a collaboration with Triumph Motorcycles and Barbour Outdoor Clothing. The base platform is the Triumph Bonneville, heavily restyled and fitted with girder forks.

The idea for the Speed Twin started when Norton and Kasher were in their final term at university. They started sketching ideas for “a bike taking retro themes in a modern direction”. After landing a placement with motorcycle design studio Xenophya, the pair contacted Triumph. Product Manager Simon Warburton liked what he heard, and agreed to get involved. He wrote a brief requesting a modern re-interpretation of a classic theme: “A bike based around our 865cc air-cooled parallel twin, styled to appeal to younger riders.” Warburton wanted to see “the bike the Bonneville might have evolved into, in an alternative universe”.

After visits to the Ace Cafe London and the National Motorcycle Museum, Norton and Kasher set to work, taking inspiration from cafe racers, bobbers and Triumph bikes of old. They agreed a design direction with Triumph, and a ‘digital tape’ was created: Photoshop images of the proposal in side projection, which allows the design to be evaluated against the vehicle package and check constraints such as seat height, tank volumes and ergonomics. According to Norton and Kasher, “Triumph provided huge amounts of support and guidance through the design stage,” ensuring there would be no engineering, manufacturing or homologation issues.

The motorcycle in the images we’re looking at was created using a mixture of model board, foam and Automotive Styling Clay—a wax-like substance that can be shaped by tools to create the tank, seat unit and swing arm. “A design can become a three-dimensional object quickly. The nature of the material means it can be molded and sculpted very easily to refine and perfect the design.”

The frame of a production Bonneville—supplied by Triumph—was heavily modified. Chopped and refabricated, it’s the basis for a strong and contemporary look. The contrast comes from the front, where girder forks pay homage to the bikes of the past. Barbour cloth is used on the seat fabric and grips, adding durability and style to the finish of the Twin, and the filler cap and instruments were also redesigned.

Once the basics of the model were in place, the bike was transferred from the Northumbria University studios to Xenophya Design. The prototype was refined and painted, transforming it from a blend of clay, foam and metal into a full-scale model. Firestone tires, inverted levers and Thruxton brakes were added to round out the build.

Triumph is pleased with the result of the project. “The bike looks great,” says product manager Warburton. “Some elements may have an influence on some of our future projects.” And Norton (right, bottom) and Kasher (left) now have an insight into how production motorcycles are designed, at the highest level in the industry. They’ve landed full-time jobs at Xenophya, which means their work is likely to hit the streets in the future, in the form of production motorcycles. Judging by the aesthetics of the Triumph Speed Twin, that’s good news indeed.

]]>http://www.bikeexif.com/triumph-bonneville-xenophya/feed0Mikhail Smolyanov conceptshttp://www.bikeexif.com/concept-motorcycle-2
http://www.bikeexif.com/concept-motorcycle-2#commentsWed, 30 Nov 2011 17:30:45 +0000http://www.bikeexif.com/?p=13120Read more »]]>
Motorcycle concepts are a dime a dozen. But these renderings, from Moscow designer Mikhail Smolyanov, show an extraordinary level of style and imagination. The “GL1-m” above was commissioned by an established Russian vehicle fabricator called Alexander Bushuev, who plans to turn the machine into metal. There’s very little information on the fluoro green C-Org Trike below, but the steampunk-style design (bottom) was apparently inspired by 1920s racing cars fitted with aircraft engines.

The next AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building is some eight months away, in August 2012. Enough time for one of the freestyle entrants to take some inspiration?

To see more of Mikhail Smolyanov’s work, head over to his Solifague Design website.